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In a notable move ahead of the upcoming national polls, two prominent personalities in Nepali politics have joined forces. This alliance emerges in the aftermath of widespread and fatal youth-led protests that rocked the country earlier this year and eventually led to the removal of the sitting government.

A Commitment to Tackle Young People's Demands

Television host Rabi Lamichhane, who leads the Rastriya Swatantra Party (RSP), and Kathmandu Mayor Balendra Shah, a one-time rapper, have publicly vowed to prioritize the grievances highlighted by the younger generation. This commitment follows the violent anti-corruption unrest that took place in September, which resulted in considerable loss of life.

"Consensus must not be what a leader wants, it must be what the country needs," remarked Lamichhane after the deal was signed.

The late summer revolt was triggered by widespread frustration over a short-lived government ban on social media platforms. This incident acted as a spark for deeper discontent stemming from years of slow growth and longstanding accusations of systemic graft in politics.

Terms of the New Political Agreement

According to the official agreement, the positions for the approaching election have been clarified. Rabi Lamichhane will remain as the leader of the RSP. Meanwhile, Balendra Shah will be the party's nominee for the position of prime minister in the election scheduled for 5 March.

• Rabi Lamichhane: A well-known fifty-one-year-old television personality, he founded the RSP in 2022, capturing broad public dissatisfaction with the country's established political class. He has in the past held the posts of deputy prime minister and interior minister. He was not long ago freed on bail in a case involving alleged cooperative fraud and organized crime.
• Balendra Shah (Balen): The 35-year-old mayor of Kathmandu is viewed as a central figure in Nepal's ongoing political shift. He played a role in setting up the caretaker government that took over after the ousted administration was dissolved.

Wider Political Consultations Underway

In a related development, the current interim prime minister recently conducted meetings with several major political figures. These talks included ex- prime ministers and the presidents of rival major parties, marking the first such dialogue since the time of the uprising.

Following these discussions, the prime minister posted on social media to state that conducting a credible election is a shared duty. The message affirmed the government's commitment to ensuring a secure and fear-free environment for the electoral process, noting that efforts are being made to eliminate any uncertainty.